Mobile Work . . Things to Consider

Are you looking for work to fit an RV or are you using an RV to fit the work?

Does the work you are planning/doing require jurisdictional (local/city/county/state) "authorization such as licenses, --permits, -inspections, -zoning compliance, etc.We mobile food vended around the country for a year. Each county in each state needed to do a health inspection (and charge for it). If we had stayed put in one place for an entire season, we would have made pretty good money. We just worked hard to break even.

Who is your competition?When we vended at fairs, festivals and events, there were people who had been going to that particular event for years (sometimes for generations). They always had the choice locations and we would get the end of a line or around the corner where fewer customers could find us. We had not even thought of this as a problem. Forwarned is forarmed.

Does the work you are planning/doing require special infrastructure like power/water/sewer or high-band-width internet?You may need to invest in a generator or a sat dish internet system. Expenses are always more for temporary access.

Does the work you are planning/doing require employees?

There is a lot of extra work with local/state/federal bookkeeping and taxes. Plus, if you are hiring work campers, remember they have wheels - all expectations should be in writing.

We hired work campers who drank beer outside, after work, on a federal facility....quit because there was no electricity when we specifically said BEFORE we hired them that it was a boondocking situation...and tried to sue us when we fired them because they were just sitting on their butts! Of course, we also had wonderful work camping employees....just be aware of expectations on all sides.

Are you working for a contractor?

We did some contract work in LA after Katrina for a very BAD huge company. They promised many things that they did not deliver. Be sure to get your contract in writing and SIGNED by everyone before you start work. If possible, research the company thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.

Does the work you are planning/doing require traveling on a fixed schedule to certain specific locations?

Be sure to leave time at the beginning and end of your travel to get some time to yourselves.

Does the work you are planning/doing require local vendors or reliable delivery?

If your products can't get to you in a timely manner, then you can't sell them. If you are a vender, I would recommend having all of your inventory with you for at least one month in advance.

And where are your customers?

If you are planning on selling within an RV park, be aware that most have restrictions on doing commercial activity within the facility - even if you only have a sign in the window.

When I first traveled, I thought RV parks would be a great place to hold CPR and basic first aid classes. WRONG! They got all up in the air about liability issues and my business died before it even got started. Most importantly - does your job put you in the locations and circumstances that you want?

If you work so many hours that you can't enjoy the local fairs, festivals, hiking, biking or whatever your activity - why are you there? If you hate the heat - don't get a job in YUMA. If you despise the cold, Glacier National Park is not the place for you. However, some people put up with a bad situation for a few months so they can spend free time in another place they love.